End of a chapter, but not the book

That one word contains many a thought I had yesterday. Wow, 26.2 is a long way. Wow, look at the throng of humanity filling the streets at 5:50 a.m. … on a Sunday! Wow, 34 degrees feels colder than it sounds. Wow, running with a pack of 1,000 is harder than I thought. Wow, why is it so far between water stops? Wow, the crowds love us! Wow, cobblestone streets will bring the pain. Wow, I thought there would be more bands. Wow, running along Mission Road was like a different event, an event I don’t want to participate in again. Wow, turning back towards downtown and seeing the Tower of Americas helped keep me going. Wow, I never have been so happy to see the Alamodome. Wow, who the hell is responsible for the runners having to conquer that hill at the. very. end. of. the. race? Wow, seeing Husband and hearing Boy and Girl cheering at the end almost made me explode with happiness. Wow, even hobbled, I made it over that line. Wow, the medal is heavier than I expected. Wow, it’s done.

Since this was my very first race ever, I had no expectations. I don’t know what a well-run event or poorly-run event of this size looks like. Even though I had no expectations, I did have impressions. Here are some of them:

• While we drove into the event early and parked easily, after the start of the race there were still runners who had missed their corrals because of busing problems. There was a mighty grumbling among those running ahead of my corral to start running.

• The gear trucks were running late and this surprised me. I figured since this was an event that has taken place in other cities the timelines of when runners would be arriving on site would be known. When I did check my bag, I had to fight a very large and confused crowd.

• The portable potties at the start were plentiful and well-stocked. Having been to Fiesta, this was a welcome find. The portable potties were not so plentiful later in the race. I ducked into a Starbucks to cheers entering and exiting. I recommend this to other runners. It was quick, clean and made me feel like a rock star.

• Running through downtown was the highlight of the event for me. The crowds were cheering and waving signs and encouraging each one of us. It made me proud to be a local.

• Mission Road was a disappointment. The bands were less frequent. The cheering crowds diminished. It was long and hot and all I wanted to do was get to the turnaround point. Had the Rock ‘n’ Roll folks not hyped the amount of music and support along the entire route, I think I wouldn’t have been so disappointed. The feel of the race on Mission Road, especially after the downtown bands and crowd, was crushing at points.

• The water stations were filled with volunteers who did everything they could for the runners. This part was fantastic. Many of the water/Cytomax cups were filled almost full. This was not so fantastic, but feels a bit nitpicky when compared to the length between water stations. Even a newbie like me knows that had the temps been just 5 degrees higher having the water stations so far apart could have been a disaster. Mission Road was full sun. We were working hard. I felt like there was no excuse not to have more stations so they could be closer together. Most who ran this event were not elite athletes. We need more water. STAT!

• The crowds yelling support, the families waving from the porches of their homes, the people on bikes ringing their bells, the people you would see at multiple mile markers with their great signs (my fav: Your feet hurt so much because they are kicking a**!), the confused smiling tourists, the police giving a thumbs up, the guys wearing capes (man, was I jealous), the beer dude, the family offering orange juice in the late miles, the runners thanking the crowd for being there, and all those eager kiddos, made me realize, again, what a great place I get to call home.

• The hill at the end of the race was cause for true cursing, although since it was a family event I tried to do it under my breath. For those of us injured and trying to will ourselves to the finish, it was beyond torture. Was this an oversight? Or was it intentional? As a newb, I have no idea. I do know that I thought it ridiculous when I drove the route days before the event, and yesterday, it was even more so.

• The crowds at the end, after the stinkin’ hill, were loud and happy and just as I had imagined. Running over the finish line and getting that medal, that glorious medal!, placed over my head, well, the only way I could have been happier would be if my family was right there with me. Getting that medal made me forget my pain for a tiny nanosecond. But what a glorious nanosecond.

• The medical team, the blanket dudes, the photographer, they all rocked. The tables and tables of H-E-B-supplied food rocked my growling stomach. The gear bag retrieval ran smoothly and quickly. The portable potties were more than plentiful and well stocked. The beer hit the most delighted spot. Those who were responsible for this part got it right. Well done, Rock ‘n’ Roll planners.

• While there are plenty of spots to point to that went right, there are definite spots that need smoothing before next year. One of my recommendations for smoothing (other than the critical water issue): Come down on parking costs at the Expo. Charging $10 just ticks people off, especially out-of-towners. I should know, I ran into some of them as we parked at a meter. Running in an event like this is expensive enough. If the thought is to draw more people into the sport, then try not to poke their eyes out for the small stuff.

Today, one day removed from the marathon, the long road of training, worrying, hoping, praying and dreaming is over. My knees ache, I’m sunburned, it hurts to use my arms, but I’m reveling in the thought that I never have to do that again. One thing I learned throughout this process is that I am not a marathon kinda girl. 26.2 miles is more than I care to run. More than my body cares for me to run. I am happiest at the 10-15 mile mark. My marathon days are behind me. You can quote me on that.

I want to thank everyone who visited here and cheered me on. You were with me yesterday as I hobbled along and thought I might have to withdraw. I thought of your encouragement, of your faith in me, and it spurred me on to keep moving. Community is a powerful thing, no matter what form that community takes. Thank you, thank you, thank you, you guys rock!

Also, thanks to the Express-News for allowing the six of us to share this experience with all of you.